9: Jeb's Curse

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: Stolen Memories"><U><B>1:  Stolen Memories</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2: A Complex Puzzle"><U><B>2:  A Complex Puzzle</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Peeling the Onion"><U><B>3:  Peeling the Onion</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4: Secrets Revealed"><U><B>4:  Secrets Revealed</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5: Going Home Again"><U><B>5:  Going Home Again</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6: ThingintheBox"><U><B>6:  Thing-in-the-Box</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: Challenging the Leviathan"><U><B>7:  Challenging the Leviathan</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8: Circling the Wagons"><U><B>8:  Circling the Wagons</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>9:  Jeb's Curse</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: Spell of Jealousy"><U><B>10:  Spell of Jealousy</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Carrying the Weight"><U><B>11:  Carrying the Weight</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12: A Fiendish New Year"><U><B>12:  A Fiendish New Year</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Barnabas Crisis"><U><B>13:  Barnabas' Crisis</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id123.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14: Barnabas in Parallel Time"><U><B>14:  Barnabas in Parallel Time</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15: Clues to Disaster"><U><B>15:  Clues to Disaster</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16: Demons Possession"><U><B>16:  Demon's Possession</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17: Breach of Trust"><U><B>17:  Breach of Trust</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18: Labyrinth of Emotions"><U><B>18:  Labyrinth of Emotions</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="19: The Amanda Dilemma"><U><B>19:  The Amanda Dilemma</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="20: Ziganas Cure"><U><B>20:  Zigana's Cure</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="21: The Approaching Storm"><U><B>21:  The Approaching Storm</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="22: Enigma at Collinwood"><U><B>22:  Enigma at Collinwood</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="23: Reunion in Hell"><U><B>23:  Reunion in Hell</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="24: Scattered Through Time"><U><B>24:  Scattered Through Time</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>9:  Jeb's Curse</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Alternate Destiny"><U><B>Alternate Destiny</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Jeb and Carolyn walked into the foyer with Quentin trailing along behind them.   The front door opened, and Barnabas walked in.  About damn time, thought Quentin.  Barnabas looked grim and stopped when he saw Jeb and Carolyn.  "I'm sorry I'm so late," he began.  "I'm surprised to see you here, Mr. Hawkes."</div> <div> "I had to come myself to break the bad news to Carolyn," Jeb answered easily.</div> <div> Now Barnabas looked puzzled.  "Bad news?"</div> <div> "Yes-it seems that Philip Todd is the killer.  He was caught red-handed in the basement of the antique shop-he'd killed that Inspector Guthrie," Jeb explained coolly.  Quentin watched Barnabas' face for a reaction.  His cousin looked shocked but listened quietly.  Quentin wondered if it was an act.  "He confessed to the other murders."</div> <div> Barnabas' brows shot up.  "He did?  The other murders?"</div> <div> "My father," Carolyn said in a teary voice.  "Oh,  Barnabas, it's just so hard to believe!"</div> <div> "Indeed," Barnabas agreed, looking at Jeb with an inscrutable expression.  "It is very difficult to believe."</div> <div> Jeb seemed to take that as a challenge.  "Oh, really?  Did you have someone else in mind?"</div> <div> "Oh," Carolyn said softly and seemed to swoon.  Barnabas, Jeb, and Quentin all reached out for her.  Quentin shoved Jeb so that Barnabas was the one who steadied his cousin.  Jeb clenched his hand into a fist behind her back and Quentin hoped he would try to swing.</div> <div> Julia and Elizabeth arrived back from their trip to town.  "My goodness!" Elizabeth exclaimed.  "What on earth is going on here?"</div> <div> "Mother!" Carolyn broke free from Barnabas and ran to her mother as if she was a little girl.</div> <div> "Barnabas!" Elizabeth exclaimed in a questioning tone, her arms automatically going around her daughter protectively.</div> <div> "I'm afraid she's had a shock," Barnabas explained.  "I think it would do her good to lie down."</div> <div> "You're probably right," Julia agreed immediately.</div> <div> "But what happened?" Elizabeth wondered.</div> <div> "Perhaps if we get her upstairs and settled, she'll be able to tell us," Julia suggested.  "Won't you, Carolyn?"  She put her hand on Carolyn's shoulder.</div> <div> "Yes, I want to talk about it," Carolyn agreed, crying softly.  "You won't believe it, Mother!"</div> <div> "We'll go upstairs then," Elizabeth decided.  She and Julia went up the stairs with Carolyn between them.</div> <div> Barnabas watched until they went down the hall and out of sight.  Quentin and Jeb were still glaring at each other, ready to fight.  "I think we should talk in here," Barnabas said to them, indicating the drawing room.</div> <div> Jeb sneered.  "So you're finally putting your cards on the table, are you?"</div> <div> "What are you referring to?" Barnabas snapped.  "We should talk."</div> <div>      Jeb made a contemptuous gesture toward Quentin.  "You want to talk in front of him?" He laughed.  "Fine.  You've lost, anyway."  He sauntered into the drawing room. </div> <div>      Furious, Quentin started after him.  Barnabas caught him by the arm, restraining him.  "I will handle this," he said in a calm, deadly voice.  Okay, for now, Quentin thought, giving in and allowing Barnabas to precede him into the room.  "Jeb, you are the one who has lost," Barnabas continued in the same tone.</div> <div> "You are in serious trouble now-you've jeopardized everything."</div> <div>      Jeb laughed uproariously.  He obviously was not intimidated at all.  "Oh, you're wrong, Barnabas!"  He folded his arms and looked at Barnabas as if he was a bothersome insect.  "Stupid of you to try and get Philip to steal the box, you know."</div> <div>      "Just as it is stupid of you to have Philip take the blame for the murders.  Really, Jeb!" Barnabas answered contemptuously.</div> <div>      Jeb became angry.  "Traitor!" he accused.</div> <div>      "No!" Barnabas disagreed.  "It is <I>you</I> who is the betrayer, Jeb!  I do not believe in your cause!  And you will have to answer for what you have done."</div> <div>      "Idle threats!" Jeb shouted.  Quentin shut the doors and considered threatening to punch Jeb if he didn't lower his voice.  "Real Leviathans don't threaten-they act!"</div> <div>      "I will act, that is a promise!" Barnabas swore.</div> <div>      Jeb laughed again.  "You can't stop me!  I'm going to take over everything-this room will be my shrine!"  He puffed himself up, looking very much like a swaggering, blustering dictator.  <I>Sieg heil!  Seig heil!</I>  People roared along the streets.  Quentin shook his head and the roaring voices went away.  Jeb approached Barnabas, his features twisted with the evil of his intentions.  "When I am done, you will  be the hunted and the lost, Barnabas, not me!"</div> <div>      "We will see who has the real power and the backing of the Supreme Ones," Barnabas replied calmly.  He is so cool about it all, Quentin thought, admiring his cousin.  </div> <div>      "I am The One!" Jeb shouted.  "Be careful, Barnabas!  I hold the power of life or death over your family-or perhaps you don't care about Elizabeth, Roger, or David?"</div> <div>      At that, Quentin couldn't stand it anymore.  He shoved Jeb, hard, throwing the young man off balance.  "Don't try it!" he shouted furiously.  "Get out!"</div> <div>      Jeb was back up in an instant, his hands curling into fists.  However, he didn't charge.  "I'll get you.  That's a promise, old man.  You're next!" He threatened.</div> <div>      Quentin sensed Jeb was afraid to get into another fight with him while he was in human form.  He laughed at Jeb, whose face darkened to near purple with fury.  He maneuvered his way around Quentin, glared with hatred at Barnabas, moved swiftly to throw open the drawing room doors, and stalked out of the house.  He slammed the door behind him, which brought Mrs. Johnson running.</div> <div>      "You shouldn't have done that!" Barnabas rebuked him.  "He will return to his room and change.  He will become more powerful and deadly."</div> <div>      "Is everything all right?" Mrs. Johnson asked, alarmed.</div> <div>      "Yes, Mrs. Johnson, I'm sorry," Barnabas answered smoothly, his entire demeanor changing.  "There's just been an some shocking news I'm afraid.  Would you go to Carolyn's room, please?  I'm sure Mrs. Stoddard needs you."</div> <div>      "Of course!" Mrs. Johnson turned and went up the stairs as quickly as she could.</div> <div>      "Quentin, come with me now!" Barnabas exclaimed.  "Do you have that motorcycle of yours here?"</div> <div>      "No, I'm afraid I left it in the city.   Where are we going?"</div> <div>      "We'll take Julia's car.  She leaves a spare key under her mat," Barnabas declared.  "We're going to the antique shop now.  Please don't stand there-come along quickly!  We must get there before Jeb does!"</div> <div>      "Does he have a car?" Quentin asked following Barnabas outside. </div> <div>      "No, not unless he's taken the Todds' car," Barnabas answered.</div> <div>      "Let me drive!" Quentin urged, knowing he could drive faster than his cousin could.   Barnabas moved toward the passenger's side.  As they sped toward Collinsport, Quentin asked, "Would he walk along the road?"</div> <div>      "He must, unless he goes through the woods," Barnabas answered.  "He cannot change form out here."  Within a few minutes, Quentin was parking in front of the shop.  It looked deserted.  As they got out, Barnabas said:  "I think that Naga box is kept in Jeb's room upstairs.  Would you stay here and keep him out?  I should be back in just a moment."  Quentin nodded, sure that Jeb couldn't possibly be inside.</div> <div>      Within five minutes, Barnabas was back on the street with the box under his arm.  "Quentin, listen to me.  I have to take this box back to the altar and destroy it.  It would be more helpful for me if you stayed here to keep Jeb out of the shop.  Will you do it?" he asked urgently.</div> <div>      Quentin looked at his cousin suspiciously, wondering if he was lying.  "What if Jeb comes to the altar?"</div> <div>      "I'm in less danger than you are, Quentin," Barnabas answered impatiently.  "You saw how weak he is in his natural form.  He cannot transform anywhere else but his room in that shop.  I can easily overpower him if he comes to the altar.  You, however-you must not let him get into the shop, do you understand?"</div> <div>      "All right," Quentin agreed.   Barnabas was right-as long as Jeb was outside the shop he was harmless.</div> <div>      "I will return for you as soon as I can," Barnabas assured him, putting his hand on Quentin's shoulder and looking into his eyes.   Dark brown and serious, they were filled with obvious concern for Quentin, who shuddered suddenly.  <I>This is how he looked when I woke him up in the mausoleum</I>, Quentin thought, feeling cold with sudden terror.<I>  He was lying in that open coffin!</I>  "What is it?" Barnabas asked.</div> <div>      He wanted to say to tell Barnabas not to go.  He almost said it but stopped himself, knowing his cousin wouldn't listen.  "I have a bad feeling about this," he answered finally.  "Be careful, please be careful."</div> <div>      "I am more concerned about you, Quentin," Barnabas answered.  "You be careful, too."  They looked at each other a moment longer  and then Barnabas turned to go.  He got into Julia's car with the Naga box, placing it on the passenger seat.  Quentin pulled the collar of his coat up around his ears.  He was suddenly freezing.</div> <div>      Barnabas had been gone about ten minutes before Jeb appeared out of a side street, walking toward the shop.  Quentin waited for him, grimly anticipating a good fight.  He wondered what would happen if he killed the physical body Jeb was in.  If he couldn't transform into his natural state, what would happen to him?  Was it worth prison to find out?  Probably!</div> <div>      Behind him, Mrs. Todd said, "What are you doing here, Mr. Collins?"  Her voice was frozen with suspicion.  </div> <div>      He only half-turned, continuing to watch Jeb.  "I know your husband didn't do it, Mrs. Todd."</div> <div>      "I was just talking to a lawyer," she answered rapidly, also watching Jeb.  "He confessed."  Jeb was now close enough that Quentin could see the expression of annoyed rage on his face.  Mrs. Todd could see it too; she ran to him.  "Oh, Jeb, Jeb, have you heard about what happened?  It's so awful!" she sobbed.</div> <div>      Jeb put his arm around her and spoke to her soothingly, walking her toward Quentin.  He stopped and glared at him.  "You think you're going to keep me out, don't you?  I'm taking Megan down to the sheriff's office to see Philip-and I'm going to tell Mr. Sirkis that you are harassing me.  You better be gone when I get back."  He and Megan Todd continued down the street.  They didn't look back.</div> <div>      Quentin wondered what to do now.  Should he follow them or stay here?  I'd better stay here, he decided.  He could run across the street and get some coffee.  He'd still be able to see the shop from inside.  It seemed to be getting colder and cloudier.  It hardly ever snowed here, he thought.  It'll probably rain.  More sleet or something.</div> <div>      Holding the steaming cup of coffee in his hands, Quentin brought the cup up to his lips but didn't sip from it yet.  He let the steam warm the tip of his nose for a few seconds first.  He tried to keep the image of Barnabas lying in the coffin out of his mind.  He felt very uneasy.  He hoped that someone would return soon-Jeb or Barnabas, he didn't care which.  He waited and waited, growing cold again.  He checked his watch.  He'd been there almost an hour since seeing Megan and Jeb.  Damn!</div> <div>      He'd decided to go across the street again for more coffee when he realized that Jeb was sauntering toward him-from the same direction he'd shown up an hour earlier.  Quentin's eyes narrowed.  Where was Megan?  Why was Jeb returning this way?  He realized, to his horror, that Jeb was carrying the Naga box under one arm.  He began to walk toward Jeb swiftly.</div> <div>      Jeb saw him coming and set the box down gently on the ground.  He stood up with his fists clenched.  "Where's Barnabas?" Quentin demanded, toe to toe with Jeb.     </div> <div>      "None of your business," Jeb answered with a smirk.</div> <div>      Quentin shoved him roughly so that Jeb stumbled backwards.  He couldn't shake the image of his cousin in the coffin anymore.  "You killed him, you bastard!"</div> <div>      "You'll have to see for yourself, my boy," Jeb spat contemptuously.</div> <div>      I don't know how he knows this stuff, but it's going to stop, Quentin thought.  He hit Jeb without warning, on the jaw, knocking him to the ground.  I'll stomp him to death, he thought, kicking Jeb in the abdomen again.  Jeb screamed and tried to roll away.  He grabbed for Quentin's foot.  Quentin saw him reaching and spun out of the way easily.  Jeb managed to scramble to his feet, fumbling inside his coat.</div> <div>      "You better leave me alone!" Jeb gasped harshly.  "Do you want your cousin to find your body here?"</div> <div>      "He won't find mine," Quentin threatened reaching out to grab Jeb by the shoulders and push him through the storefront window.  "He's going to find yours!"</div> <div>      Jeb pulled his fist up.  Quentin heard a slight click and was stunned to feel a sharp, piercing pain as the switchblade went through the material of his coat, penetrating his upper abdomen and sliding along his ribs.  He staggered back, and Jeb laughed at him wildly.  "I told you I'd get you!" he called triumphantly.</div> <div>      Quentin covered the hole in his coat with one hand; already he could feel blood on his hand.  "You haven't killed me, you pathetic piece of shit!" He moved toward Jeb, hoping he'd be able to stay on his feet long enough to kill him.  Jeb looked stunned and then frightened.  He moved quickly, grabbing the box and running into the antique shop.</div> <div>      Now he can change form, Quentin thought, despairing, cursing himself for his carelessness.  Damn, damn, damn!  The wound burned and throbbed.  I need Julia, he thought, and we have to find Barnabas.  He wasn't sure he could walk to Collinwood; it might be a waste of time, too.  Barnabas had Julia's car, but maybe she could borrow someone else's.  He made his way to a phone booth to call Collinwood.</div> <bR> <div>      Julia came quickly, driving Carolyn's sporty little car.  Quentin sat inside the phone booth, leaning back, feeling very glad that no one was out and about.  It was late afternoon, growing colder, and the gray clouds in the sky became darker and heavier.   Soon the workers would be leaving the cannery for the day and would walk this way toward the Blue Whale.  He wanted to be long gone by then, leaving someone else to wonder whose blood had spilled on the inside of the booth.  Julia jumped out of the car and sprinted toward him with her bag.  "Quentin, my God!" she exclaimed.</div> <div>      "Julia, we've got to find Barnabas," he told her.  She was trying to open his coat.  Was she crazy?  He grabbed her hands to stop her.  "Julia!"</div> <div>      She looked down at his hands. His left hand was on her right wrist, and she lifted it now to eye level.  "Look at this!  You're bleeding!"</div> <div>      "It doesn't matter," he insisted.  "It'll stop!"</div> <div>      "Stop arguing with me!" she snapped.  "Let me see it!"</div> <div>      "We're wasting time!" he yelled at her.  "It's already healing!"</div> <div>      Julia's jaw set stubbornly.  "Let me look or we go to the emergency room!"</div> <div>      "Barnabas could be dead!" he objected.  She continued to struggle with him, and so he just gave up.  It wasn't worth it.  He helped her move his coat, pulled up his sweater, and unbuttoned his shirt.  Julia fumbled in her bag, and he winced as she began to treat his wound.  "Julia, for chrissakes, please!  It'll be gone tomorrow anyway!"</div> <div>      "You'd better be telling me the truth, Quentin Collins, because by all rights I should be stitching this wound closed instead of packing it so stop whining!  I'm going to check later and if you're still bleeding like this I'm going to close that wound with stitches," Julia snapped testily.</div> <div>      "Fine, check later! You'll see you're just wasting time.  Barnabas could be dying himself!" Julia was taping gauze pads to the wound now.  She moved quickly and efficiently and it really didn't take as long as he thought it had.  "Aren't you worried about Barnabas?"</div> <div>      Julia finished and pulled his shirt together.  She'd begun to button his shirt, but her fingers began to tremble.  "Jeb said that you should leave him alone so that your cousin wouldn't find you here dead."  She was trying to be calm, but as she looked into his face Quentin could see her eyes filling with tears.  "What does that mean, Quentin, if not that he's alive-where ever he is?"</div> <div>      "Let me," Quentin said softly, buttoning his shirt himself and pulling his sweater back down.  "I'm afraid I got blood all over us both," he said ruefully.  So much for the nice cashmere sweater.  Amanda would be furious-if he ever saw her again.</div> <div>      "Oh, God!" Julia exclaimed suddenly.  She got up abruptly, and walked stiffly to the car, carrying her bag.</div> <div>      Quentin stood up, buttoning his coat.  He went to Julia, who was trying to climb into the car.  She seemed to be shaking.  He shut the door for her and crossed to the passenger side, getting into the car.  She was crying, hard.  "Julia, what's the matter?" he asked, alarmed.</div> <div>      "I just realized what Jeb might have done to him!" she wept.  "They threatened it!"</div> <div>      He pulled Julia toward him to comfort her, realizing exactly what she was talking about.  "The curse?  They'd make him a vampire again?"  He remembered his dreamlike experience and remembered Barnabas saying, `It is inevitable.'   He said urgently, "It might not be too late."  What would Jeb do?  Have him attacked by another vampire?  It wasn't dusk yet.  "We have to find him!"</div> <div>       "All right, Quentin, where could Barnabas be?"  Julia asked, pulling herself together.</div> <div>      "He took that Naga box and said he had to go to an altar to destroy it."</div> <div>      "There's some kind of an altar on the grounds of Collinwood," Julia said. "Carolyn met her father there.  That must be the place."</div> <div>      "Do you know where, exactly?" Quentin asked.</div> <div>      Julia shook her head no, starting the car.  "We'll just have to look.  Will you be all right?"</div> <div>      "I told you-I'm feeling better already, Julia," Quentin declared.  He tried not to wince as he was abruptly thrown around the front seat when Julia floored the accelerator.  When they got to the grounds of Collinwood, Julia turned toward the Old House.  She parked and they got out.  "Should we split up?" he asked.  "Meet back somewhere?"</div> <div>      "With you bleeding like that?  No!"</div> <div>      "Julia, I'm fine," he argued.  "If you don't know where this thing is, we can cover more ground if we split up."</div> <div>      Julia bit her lip.  "All right.  We'll meet back here when it gets dark."</div> <div>      "All right," he agreed.  They set off in different directions.  Quentin cursed himself again for his carelessness.  His ribs were sore, and he was stiff and cold.  He guessed this altar must be in a lesser traveled area of the estate or more family members might have stumbled across it.  As dusk began to fall, he realized he was not going to find this mysterious altar and turned back.  It would be fully dark by the time he got back to the Old House.  </div> <div> He hoped Julia would have better luck, but he could tell by the expression on her face that she hadn't.  Before he could ask what they would do now, she said abruptly, "Come inside and let me see that wound."</div> <div> "Julia, it doesn't even hurt any more," he complained.  </div> <div> She was already going inside, going into the drawing room and lighting candles.  Resigned, he followed her in.   He had a feeling that this was something to do to keep her from worrying about Barnabas.  He grit his teeth and let her pull the gauze pads off the wound.  "Remarkable," she said in a wondering tone.</div> <div> "Very convenient, isn't it?  I told you," he reminded her, looking down.  The ugly wound had closed over long ago and while it still throbbed, it was healing quickly from within.  Julia began to apply a new dressing.  "You really don't have to do that," he told her.</div> <div> "Just let me do it.  It'll make me feel more useful," she answered, without looking up.</div> <div> "Julia, we'll find him," he assured her softly.</div> <div> "In what condition?"  Her voice began to break.  She put on the last piece of tape and pulled the ends of his shirt together, tears running down her face.</div> <div> Poor Julia, he thought, putting his arms around her and holding her as tightly as he could.  She put her head on his shoulder and cried freely while he stroked the back of her hair soothingly.  He was worried and scared, too, thinking as he comforted Julia.  "Maybe Barnabas is back at the antique shop somehow," he said.  "We could try there."</div> <div> "I can't think what else to do," Julia agreed.</div> <div> The antique shop was dark and closed; the door was locked.  Quentin was frustrated.  "Let's go the Blue Whale and get a drink and something to eat," he suggested.  He didn't feel like eating a heavy meal but knew they had to have something.  A sandwich, chips, and a pickle was better than nothing.  Julia agreed, looking depressed.  She parked the car and they went inside.</div> <div> The Blue Whale was a little more crowded now than usual because the shift had let out and many of the cannery workers were having an after-work beer.  Someone had fed quarters to the jukebox, choosing holiday music over the regular fare.  "I hope there's a table," Julia said dispiritedly.  Quentin looked around the smoky room and froze.  He couldn't believe his eyes.  He nudged Julia and pointed.  "Barnabas," Julia whispered, in a wondering voice.</div> <div> Although his back was to them, Quentin knew the man at the table was his cousin.  He was wearing his dark Inverness cape and rested both hands on his wolf's head cane.  In the dimness of the tavern, Barnabas' hands seemed luminescent; they were an unnatural alabaster color. There was a woman sitting across from Barnabas, young and very attractive.  She was beaming happily and talking up a storm.<I> What the hell is going on?</I> Quentin wondered.  Julia seemed frozen to the floor, so Quentin took her elbow gently and propelled her toward the table.  The woman saw them coming and leaned forward in an intimate way to whisper to Barnabas.</div> <div> Barnabas looked around at them, turning so that his back was to the woman.  He looked extremely displeased, and Quentin stopped, surprised.  He was shocked not only by his cousin's attitude, but also by his appearance.  His face was extraordinarily pale, and his eyes looked dark and hollow.  "Good evening, Quentin, Julia," Barnabas greeted them coldly.  He looked at them as if he wished they would go away immediately.</div> <div> "Barnabas, where have you been?" Julia burst out.</div> <div> "I don't know what you're talking about," Barnabas replied, a warning tone creeping into his voice.</div> <div> Quentin heard it.  Barnabas wanted something kept secret from the woman, but why?  "We were just worried, that's all, when you didn't meet me this afternoon," he explained.</div> <div> "Well," Barnabas answered loftily, "as you can see, I was unavoidably detained.  Would you excuse us, please?  I will talk to you later."</div> <div> Julia began to protest, but Quentin grabbed her firmly and turned her toward the bar.  "Sure, see you later!" he called congenially over his shoulder.  He could feel Julia stiffen with fury as they walked to the bar and found two seats.  "Julia, we have to play it cool," he whispered to her, hoping she wouldn't take his head off.</div> <div> He watched her take a deep breath to force her feelings under control.  "Something's wrong," she stated.</div> <div> "That's obvious, but what?"  Quentin wondered, stealing a peek at Barnabas and the woman over his shoulder.  He studied his cousin carefully, and when the woman began to look toward him, he looked away.  The bartender came over and they ordered beer and sandwiches.  "Julia, does he look different to you?" </div> <div> Julia began to turn and look, but the woman had looked up again.  Quentin put his hand on her arm.  "Don't look yet.  I know he's acting weird, but that's because of that woman he's with."</div> <div> "Who is she?" Julia hissed.  "I've never seen her before."</div> <div> "Me neither," Quentin agreed.  The woman was looking at Barnabas again.  "Okay, take a look now but make it quick!"</div> <div> Julia glanced around her surreptitiously, and Quentin looked at his cousin, too.  It wasn't the way he was sitting; he always sat up in a chair with perfect posture.   Quentin didn't remember ever seeing Barnabas in a bar before, but it was more than just that, too.  "He looks different.  Older or something."</div> <div> Julia noticed something else.  "Look what she's wearing, Quentin.  Look at the necklace."  He stole a peek before the woman looked toward them again.  A Naga symbol dangled from the woman's necklace.  The bartender brought their beers.  Julia pushed hers back.  "I want a shot of Seagram's," she declared.  The bartender's eyebrows went up, but he nodded and moved off.</div> <div> "Julia, take it easy," Quentin urged her.</div> <div> "Why is he sitting with her?  She's a Leviathan, isn't she?" Julia asked bitterly.  "Do you suppose Jeb put a spell on him to make him loyal again?"</div> <div> "I don't know," Quentin answered, sipping his beer.  Julia's sat untouched before her.  "Drink the beer, Julia-leave the shot.  The beer is better for you."</div> <div> "I'm the doctor here," Julia reminded him sharply.</div> <div> Stung, Quentin said, "Okay, doctor, don't you think Barnabas looks different?  Look at him.  He looks older."</div> <div> The bartender set  their sandwiches and Julia's shot of whiskey before them.  Julia stole another glance over at the odd couple.  "I don't know, Quentin," she answered.  "I can't get a good look at him-it's hard to tell.  Why do you think he looks older?"</div> <div> "Does he have gray patches in his hair now?" Quentin asked curiously.  "Or maybe it's the light?"  They both had turned to peek now, their heads almost touching.  Barnabas and the woman had their heads close together, too, speaking softly.  Suddenly, Barnabas turned and looked at them directly.  As if they'd been electrocuted, both Quentin and Julia jumped a little and turned back toward the bartender.</div> <div> The next time Quentin tried to catch a glimpse of them, he saw that Barnabas was on his feet.  He helped the woman put her coat on and they left quickly.  "He didn't say goodbye to us!" Julia exclaimed, sounding shocked and hurt.</div> <div> "There has to be an explanation for it," Quentin reassured her, putting his arm around her shoulder.  He was afraid she would cry again; her eyes were suspiciously watery, but she didn't.</div> <div> "You're right."  Julia agreed bravely.  She picked up half her sandwich.  "At least we know he's not dead.  We might as well eat."</div> <div> "Right!"  Quentin picked up his own sandwich but noticed that Julia put hers down.  She picked up her shot and threw it back.  His eyes widened as she set the glass back down calmly, picked up her sandwich and began to eat.</div> <bR> <div> Julia had another shot after her sandwich and didn't argue when Quentin gently suggested that he drive back to the Old House.  He was worried but didn't voice his thoughts.  He was sure Julia was worrying about the same things and possibly more.  What if Jeb had managed to brainwash Barnabas again?  I guess I can contact him again like I did before, Quentin thought.  He had a feeling that brainwashing wasn't the problem.  Something else happened to his cousin.</div> <div> Barnabas was already at the Old House when Quentin pulled up and put the car in park.  There was a soft glow from the windows of the drawing room.  That meant that the candles were lit.  There was no answer when Quentin knocked at the door, though.  Julia turned the knob, opened the door, and walked in.  Quentin followed her to the drawing room.</div> <div> "Barnabas!" Julia gasped.</div> <div> Quentin could make out the form of his cousin on the floor, bending over someone.  He went into the room quickly, putting his hand on Barnabas' shoulder.  His cousin threw him off easily, half-turning and snarling.  Quentin recoiled at the sight of blood on his cousin's lips.  <I>Oh, my God! He's really a vampire again!</I>  Quentin thought, horrified and grieved.  Barnabas jumped up, turning away from both of them, his hands going to his face.</div> <div> Julia knelt beside the still form on the floor.  "It's the woman you were with at the Blue Whale!" she cried.  "Why, Barnabas?"</div> <div> "I had to do it-she is one of them," Barnabas answered in a broken voice.  "She is evil and soulless.  These are the kinds of people that hideous creature is drawing to him.  She would have killed either of you without a moment's remorse."</div> <div> "You strangled her?" Julia asked.  Quentin looked down at her, watching as Julia turned the woman's body to the side.  There were two savage tears in the woman's throat; blood ran freely.  Julia gasped.</div> <div> "Yes," Barnabas said, turning to face them.  His face was pale but not alabaster as his hands had looked at the bar.  The blood he'd taken from the woman made his face  look pinker.  He'd wiped the blood from his lips.  "I am cursed again-that was Jeb's punishment for my treason."  Barnabas' eyes glowed with bitterness.  "It was Sky Rumson who told him that we came to take Carolyn away before Jeb could claim her."</div> <div> "Damn!" Quentin swore.  I should have remembered, he thought, cursing himself.  I should have told Barnabas to be careful-that Rumson was no where around when I found Carolyn.  He was one of them.   "Rumson's a Leviathan?"</div> <div> "Yes," Barnabas agreed.</div> <div> "I-I can start the treatments again," Julia began in a stunned voice.</div> <div> "Not now.  I have business I must take care of first," Barnabas answered harshly.  He turned to Quentin.  "I must find out if Angelique is involved in this, and I must settle with Jeb.  He thinks he's weakened me-he is sadly mistaken and has made the greatest error of his worthless life.  Can you help me dispose of-that?"</div> <div> Quentin shuddered a little.  "Do I need to stake her?"</div> <div> "I strangled her.  I don't think she will rise or she would have done so already," Barnabas answered.  He looked at Quentin steadily.  "If you can bring yourself to do it, it would be safer to make sure."</div> <div> Quentin nodded.  "I'll do it," he said, determined.  He'd had to do other things that had turned his stomach.</div> <div> "Thank you, Quentin.  Julia-"  Barnabas stopped speaking as Julia looked up at him, stunned and grieving.  "Dear Julia," he began again, in a softer voice.  "Tomorrow-we begin again, shall we?"  Julia nodded without speaking.  Without another word, Barnabas disappeared, and Julia allowed herself to cry.</div> <div> Quentin got down beside her to hold her.  He was on the verge of tears himself.  "Hey," he said softly.  "We have to do this later.  We have a lot to do now.  We have to get rid of what's-her-name first."</div> <div> "We have to find a place for Barnabas," Julia added, wiping her eyes.  "Would you mind staying here at the Old House with him tomorrow?  I don't think I can bear it."</div> <div> "Sure, I will," Quentin agreed.  "I'll bring my stuff over from the hotel."</div> <div> "Perhaps I can call Willie to help us, too," Julia added.</div> <div> Quentin wanted to ask who Willie was but decided that could wait.  He wanted to drive a stake through the woman's heart as soon as possible, and then they'd have to bury her.  That was the first thing to do.  He wondered what Barnabas was going to be doing.  "Does Barnabas still have a coffin?" he asked Julia.  "Does it need to be moved from anywhere?"</div> <div> "I'll go and look in the basement-there might be one down there.   There's one in the mausoleum," Julia replied.</div> <div> "Why don't you go look and make sure?  I'll take care of her," Quentin suggested.</div> <div> "By yourself?  Are you sure?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "Yes, I'm sure.  If I need help, I'll yell," Quentin answered, wanting to spare her the grisly work.  Julia nodded doubtfully, leaving to check the basement.  Quentin looked at the body queasily.  He would have to move her now-before she began to stiffen.  He would find a mallet and shovel, find a makeshift stake, and get rid of her.  If the ground was too cold, he'd have to put her in the mausoleum's secret room for the time being.  Better get to it, he told himself grimly.</div> <bR> <div> As he left the mausoleum, trying not to wipe his filthy hands on his pants, he could smell smoke in the air.  He could hear the faint sounds of sirens-there was a fire somewhere in Collinsport.  He was too exhausted to think beyond that, dragging the useless shovel along behind him with one hand and carrying the mallet with the other.  He hoped Barnabas would be at the Old House when he returned, but only Julia was there.  She sat motionlessly in one of the chairs before the fire and stood up when he came in.  They looked at each other briefly, and then he went to the basement to return the tools.</div> <div> Quentin didn't see a coffin here, just a big dusty room.  He turned down a side passageway to one of the other rooms and opened the door.  There it was-the casket he'd seen Barnabas sleeping in with the lid open.  He swallowed hard, feeling his heart beginning to thump loudly in his ears.  He leaned against the door, waiting for the wave of dizziness he knew would strike him any second now.  <I>This is what Paul Stoddard was trying to tell me, that ineffective spook!</I> He thought angrily.  And, of course, Barnabas had to play the hero, going off all by himself with that damned Naga box.</div> <div> He sighed as the dizziness faded away and went back upstairs.  "Does he have running water?" he asked Julia, stopping in the drawing room.</div> <div> "In the kitchen, yes," Julia answered.</div> <div> "For God's sake, this is almost 1970-why doesn't he have electricity?" Quentin complained, making his way to the kitchen.  He wanted to wash his hands.  Julia followed him.</div> <div> "Where do you suppose he went?  He's been gone a long time," Julia wondered.</div> <div> "Jeez, I don't know.  He didn't tell me," Quentin answered tiredly.  "You know what?  Why don't we go get my stuff from the hotel?"</div> <div> "That's a good idea," Julia said, seemingly grateful for something useful to do.  "I'd like to check that wound again while we're there."  He was going to argue with her, sure that the wound was nearly healed all the way through but decided against it.</div> <bR> <div> The main street was blocked with the town's only fire engine and the deputy's car.  There was a huge crowd of people on the sidewalk silently looking at the ruined remains of the antique shop.   Julia pulled over to the side of the road, and she and Quentin surveyed the scene silently.  "I heard them," Julia said finally.  "I wondered what it was."</div> <div> "I did too," Quentin answered.  It's almost burned right down to the ground, he thought.  This was a hot fire-gasoline, or maybe kerosene.  Arson.</div> <div> "Barnabas did this," Julia said softly.  It wasn't a question.</div> <div> "I hope he killed the bastard," Quentin said bitterly.</div> <div> "I do, too," Julia agreed.  "I just hope Megan wasn't inside."  She looked at Quentin.  "We won't be able to get through.  Let's walk from here."</div> <div> "Right," he agreed, and they got out of the car.  As the approached the hotel though, he saw a familiar figure standing on the front porch.  He grabbed Julia's arm and pulled her into the nearest doorway.  "Amanda's here!" he exclaimed, shocked.</div> <div> "Oh, no!" Julia exclaimed.  "Did you tell her you were here?"</div> <div> "No!" Oh, Lord, he thought.  He wondered if she knew he was here or was just guessing or if she'd come on a whim?  If she asked for him at the front desk, she'd know he was a guest and not in some foreign country.  "Shit!"  He kicked the side of the doorway, glad it wasn't glass.</div> <div> "What do you want to do?" Julia asked urgently.</div> <div> The truth was, he didn't know what he wanted to do.  "Damn it!" he exclaimed.  He was tempted to run away; he could just have Julia drive him back to the Old House and the hell with his stuff.  He bit his thumb, thinking.  Of course, if he was going to be a man about this he would have to go talk to her.  He'd have to tell her something-the truth maybe?  "Do you think we can trust Amanda?" he asked Julia.</div> <div> "You're asking <I>me</I> that?" Julia burst out.  "Quentin, for God's sake!"</div> <div> "Damn!" Quentin exclaimed again, thinking.</div> <div> Julia tugged on him roughly.  He looked down at her.  Her eyes flashed at him angrily.  "Listen to me!  I don't know what your relationship is to Amanda, but don't you dare tell her about Barnabas, do you hear me?  You can tell her about the Leviathans if you think she can be trusted, but don't you say one word about Barnabas!"</div> <div> He was impressed with her furious loyalty.  "Yes, ma'am!" he exclaimed.  "I wouldn't tell her that part of it, Julia, I swear.  I wasn't even thinking about that part."  Talk to Amanda, he thought.  Play it by ear.  See if she can be trusted.  "Julia?  Can you stay with Barnabas tonight?  I think I'd better get her out of town, don't you?"</div> <div> "Yes, I agree," Julia replied, sounding calmer.  "She would be safer, Quentin.  I don't know what you want to do about her-I don't know if you love her, but if you care anything about her you should get her away from here."</div> <div> "You're right," he agreed.  "I'd rather take the coward's way out and just go back to the Old House with you, you know," he confided.  "I have a feeling she'd come out there, though."</div> <div> "You do what you think is best," Julia encouraged him.  "I will stay the night until Barnabas comes, and I will stay tomorrow until you return or until Barnabas-r-rises."  She had difficulty with that word.  Quentin put his arms around her and hugged her.  "How are your ribs?" she asked "All right?"</div> <div> "As all right as could be," he answered.  "It's better if you don't come with me, Julia."</div> <div> "All right."  Julia squeezed his hand.  He watched her back away a few steps.  She turned and walked back alone to her car.  Quentin watched her until she got inside, started the car and backed into an alley, turning back toward Collinwood and the Old House.  Taking a deep breath, Quentin stepped out of the doorway and walked toward Amanda.</div> <div> She'd just turned to go back into the hotel when he called her name softly.  She turned back to face him, her face white with fury and her eyes filling with tears of hurt.  "So you are here.  Quentin, why did you lie to me?"  Her hands clenched into fists.</div> <div> "To protect you," he answered, and that was the truth-at least partially.</div> <div> "From what?" she asked.  He took a step closer to her, stepping into the light.  She recoiled a little.  "My God! What happened to you?  You're filthy!"</div> <div> "I was in a fight.  I tried to wash up but the water was cold."</div> <div> She looked at him steadily.  "It's your room-I brought my things there.  If you want me to leave, I will."</div> <div> "No, I don't want you to leave-not yet.  I want you to stay so we can talk.  Would you come in with me?"</div> <div> "Oh, I am so glad you asked me that!"  Amanda did begin to cry then, throwing herself into Quentin's arms and crying on his chest.  As she began to put her arms around him, her hand snagged on the cut in his coat from the knife.  She looked up at him, her eyes huge and round.</div> <div> "I'm all right-really," he assured her.  "Let's go inside.  It's cold out here.  Did you see the fire?"</div> <div> "Yes, I've been in and out watching it.  I heard it when it first started-I suppose there were some old things inside that just exploded.  The glass blew out, too, so of course I ran out to look.  It was so cold though.  I went when it got too cold and came back out when the curiosity got the best of me," she explained as they went into the lobby.  He stopped to pick up his key.  </div> <div> Quentin put his arm around Amanda, thinking that she smelled pretty and feminine.  It was irrational, but he felt himself stirring.  "I saw Mrs. Todd in the crowd.  She was hysterical," Amanda continued.  She giggled, suddenly aware that Quentin was nuzzling her neck.  "What on earth are you doing?"</div> <div> "You smell very sexy," he told her.</div> <div> "Well, you don't," she answered matter-of-factly.  "You smell like you've been digging in the dirt.  Where did you fight?  In the mud?"</div> <div> "It was pretty messy," he agreed.</div> <div> "I saw your cousin Barnabas," she went on, and he stiffened.</div> <div> "Where?"</div> <div> "He was standing in the back of the crowd, and he was behaving very oddly, Quentin, considering it was a fire."  They'd reached his room, and he unlocked the door, looking at her curiously.  "He was laughing.  Do you know what that's about?"</div> <div> "I might," he answered, a little evasively.</div> <div> "You'll tell me all about it, won't you?" she asked, leaning against him as he shut the door.  "You'll take a nice shower and come out all clean and tell me about it?"</div> <div> "All right," he agreed, wondering what on earth he was going to tell her.  He was glad he had time to think of something in the shower.</div> <div> "Quentin," she called as he moved toward the bathroom.  He turned back to her.  "Before we talk, I just want you to see how much I missed you." She pulled her skirt up to show him that she was wearing red lacy panties that tied in ribbons between her legs.  "Look!" she said, pulling one of the laces free.  "It's red licorice."  He flushed a deep red, forgetting all about the shower and moving toward her.  Deftly, she moved out of his way.  "No, no, go take a shower!" she teased him.  "I'll see you in bed."</div> <div> Damn right, he thought.  This was going to be the fastest shower he'd ever taken.  He threw his clothes onto the floor, got into the shower, and was done in less than five minutes.  He took even less time to dry himself off before charging into the bedroom.  He didn't give a single thought to the terrifying, stressful events that had been occurring almost non-stop since he'd come back.  The only thing in his mind now was to eat away those strings so that he could slide in between her thighs and drive them both right over the edge.</div> <div> Amanda's giggles and gasps drove him to a much earlier climax than he'd wanted.  Being sexually deprived was no fun, he decided.  There was a benefit to eternal youth, though, and that was that he could feel himself stirring and becoming hard again  as Amanda rubbed his shoulders, leaning over to nibble his ears.  He growled playfully at her.  "We haven't been together in days," she whispered lustfully into his ear as if echoing his thoughts.  "I want you again, Quentin, can you?  I really like to feel you moving inside.  It really makes me feel hot."</div> <div> That was all Quentin needed to hear.  He rolled over onto his back, pulling Amanda on top of him.  She slid onto him slowly, teasingly, and his breathing slowed as he lost himself in the pleasurable feeling of her surrounding him, taking him all the way in and then slowly lifting herself up until he was almost completely free.  She was incredible-the hottest woman he'd been with since Angelique.  Beth didn't count-what they had between them was different, it was love.  This was lust, pure and simple.  Suddenly, Amanda stopped moving.</div> <div> He opened his eyes.  "Why'd you stop?" he asked in a complaining tone.  He didn't want her to stop.  He could go on like this for quite a while.</div> <div> "What happened to you?" Amanda asked, concerned, touching the scabby wound over his ribs.  He'd pulled the gauze off and discarded it once it became wet.</div> <div> "Oh, it's nothing, Amanda.  I told you I was in a fight.  I'll tell you all about it, but please don't stop what you were doing just now."</div> <div> "You like it, do you?" Amanda sounded pleased and had begun to move on him again.  "I like it, too, very much.  Wouldn't you like to be able to make love like this day and night?"  She reached down and rubbed his nipples lightly, which sent bolts of pleasure shooting through his body.</div> <div> "Christ, yes," he answered.  He meant it, reaching up to touch her breasts.  They both began to move together faster.  "Amanda!" He called to her, unable to hold back anymore; he grabbed her arms and rocked her violently and then fell back.  Amanda collapsed on top of him.  He winced a little as her weight came down on his sore ribs.</div> <div> She shifted herself after a moment, stroking his chest.  "No one has ever made me feel this way, Quentin," she told him.  "I've been with some men who just climbed on, moved up and down a few times and then they were done.  I don't think I'd ever want to be with anyone else again."</div> <div> He knew he was supposed to say something similar back to her.  He wished that she hadn't told him that she didn't want to be with anyone else.  He felt terribly guilty, and he looked up at the ceiling.  Finally, he said, "I haven't felt like this with anyone in ages."</div> <div> "Did you-with Beth?" Amanda asked, sounding jealous.</div> <div> He swallowed.  "No," he answered truthfully.  "I felt something different with Beth."  There was sweet passion between them; this was more like rutting, and although he felt much more physically sated, emotionally he felt-guilty.  He was sure he didn't love Amanda, but he knew she loved him.  She wanted to marry him; she'd said so.  What am I going to do? He wondered.</div> <div> "Why did you get into a fight?" Amanda asked.  There was a gleam in her eye that was hard to read.  He wondered if she guessed what he was thinking.  She pinched the skin of his ribs just above the wound, and he yelped in surprised pain. "And why did you lie to me?"</div> <div> "I lied to protect you-I told you that," he answered, pushing her off and rubbing himself where she'd pinched him.  He looked at her reproachfully.  "Thanks a lot," he complained. </div> <div> "Well, I didn't reach between your legs, did I?" she snapped back. </div> <div> "That would have been a big mistake, considering how much you wanted me just now.  How did you know I was here?" he asked.  That had been bothering him for some time.</div> <div> Amanda made a face.  "I didn't.  I just had an idea to call, and so I did.  The clerk told me you were registered here."</div> <div> "What about taping?  Don't you need to be doing that?"</div> <div> "I can fly back tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow night.  I was hoping you'd come with me."  When Quentin shook his head no, Amanda's eyes filled up and overflowed with tears.  "Why?  You know I'm nervous about this!  I need you!"</div> <div> Quentin took her fingers and kissed them gently.  "You're a fine actress, Amanda.  You don't need me there, you just want me there. I'm needed here, though.  I can't come back now."</div> <div> "What is this about, anyway?  Why did you lie to me?  This isn't about that spy job you told me about!"</div> <div> "No, it isn't, and I told you I was trying to protect you.  I didn't want you to get killed."</div> <div> "Killed!" Amanda exclaimed incredulously.  She laughed with disbelief.  "How melodramatic!  Why would my life be in any danger?"</div> <div> "It's got to do with those Leviathans I was telling you about," he explained.  "They'll kill anyone who gets in the way.  They know already that I'm an enemy.  That's who I had a fight with-that leader of theirs.  He knifed me.  I didn't want them to get back at me by doing something to you."</div> <div> She looked at him suspiciously, but then her expression softened.  "You were really worried about me?" she asked.</div> <div> "Of course, Amanda," he answered.  That was true-sort of.  He began to tell her some of the things that happened.  He started with Bruno Hess, watching her face carefully.  He thought he caught a glimmer of recognition that was carefully hidden.  She does know him, he thought.  "Don't you remember him?" he pressed her.</div> <div> "From the Christmas party?  That young man who wanted to be someone important?" Amanda asked, looking at him with her eyebrows raised a little.  Quentin thought she was "remembering" only because she realized that he was onto her.  "What on earth would he be doing here?"</div> <div> "Maybe he's one of them," Quentin suggested, still watching her carefully.</div> <div> Amanda laughed.  "One of <I>them?</I>  I hardly think so!  He's a nobody!  Why would you think that?"</div> <div> "He was going into the antique shop."</div> <div> "Maybe he just collects antiques.   Really, Quentin!  Bruno Hess is a nothing drug dealer! Maybe this bizarre monster likes to eat marijuana brownies or something weird like that."</div> <div> Quentin looked at Amanda thoughtfully but didn't say anything.  She sounded just a little too contemptuous, dismissing Bruno just a little too easily.  He frowned.  He didn't like the implications of this at all.  "Do you know Schulyler Rumson?" he asked suddenly.</div> <div> Amanda looked shocked and dismayed.  "Sky Rumson?  Why-but-everyone knows Sky Rumson!" she blurted.  "He finances lots of artists-writers, producers, film makers, people like that.  He's some kind of investment wizard, isn't he?  He's very rich."</div> <div> "So you met him?"</div> <div> "I'm sure I came across him at a party.  He's just married.  She's beautiful, I hear."</div> <div> Quentin snickered.  He couldn't help himself.  "So you haven't met Mrs. Rumson?"</div> <div> "No, not yet.  Why?  What's so funny?"</div> <div> "You have to see her to truly appreciate her beauty," Quentin answered enigmatically, deciding not to say anything more about Angelique. </div> <div> "Hmmm," Amanda said suspiciously.  "Why did you ask me about Sky Rumson?"</div> <div> Quentin looked at her thoughtfully, wondering what she was thinking.  He felt instinctively that she was hiding something from him.  "He's a Leviathan, too."</div> <div> "My God, these people are beginning to sound like members of a secret order!" Amanda scoffed.  "Are these Leviathans like the Ku Klux Klan?  Or the Nazis?"</div> <div> "They're worse," he told her.  Hadn't she been listening to what he told her about them?  Why was she dismissing everything he said?  More important, how could he convince Amanda to leave?  "How many days are you taping?" he asked.</div> <div> Amanda looked surprised at the change in topic.  "Just two-because of the holiday.  Monday and Tuesday."</div> <div> "I'll fly down for New Year's Eve, how's that?" he offered.</div> <div> Amanda grimaced.  "That's the best you can do?"  She got off the bed, still wearing the lacy panties and nothing else.  Quentin watched her, admiring her beauty.  She was turning him on again.  "Why did you bother to save me, Quentin?"</div> <div> "Because I care for you," he answered.  "Because of what you did for me.  Amanda, come here."  He reached for her, but she eluded him.</div> <div> She turned and glared at him.  "If you care for me, why are you staying here?  And please don't tell me about gaseous creatures taking over the world!"</div> <div> "Then I can't tell you anything--because that's why," he answered, feeling irritable.  "And because I need to help Chris.  You know that."  He softened his tone, reaching for her again and she allowed herself to be pulled back onto the bed.  "I didn't lie to you-I told you there'd be times we couldn't be together."</div> <div> Amanda bit her lip.  "Did it ever occur to you that you might have been doing me a favor by just letting me stay behind?"</div> <div> "What?"  Quentin couldn't believe she'd said it.</div> <div> "I just mean that maybe it would have been better for both of us if you'd just let me go and gotten out by yourself."</div> <div> "Life is always better than death, Amanda."  Was she just trying to get him to feel sorry for her?</div> <div> "Are you sure about that?" she asked very sadly.</div> <div> "You're just having a self-pity party," he told her softly.  "Come here,  Amanda.  Why don't we just enjoy each other while we're here?  Why don't we just let it go at that while I take care of this mess? I'll be able to come to you, then, and we can be together again for awhile.  We'll spend New Year's together."</div> <div> She came back into his arms and kissed him softly.  "Damn your charm!  I do want you to make love to me again.  Do you always have so much stamina, Quentin Collins?"</div> <div> He took her hand and moved it down so that she could feel that he was hard again.  "One of the benefits of eternal youth, right, Amanda?"</div> <div> "Or its curses," she murmured, kissing him and stroking him.  "Maybe it's my curse that I love you so much."</div> <div> He put his mouth on her breast, sucking gently.  He stopped long enough to say, "Love is never a curse," and then went back to what he was doing.  Amanda didn't say another word.  She sighed with pleasure and then later, with passion, but that was all.  </div> <div>  Quentin stayed in bed with Amanda throughout the night and into the morning.  He called down for room service and hoped that Julia had a lot of stamina too.  He was beginning to wonder if he would have the strength for all of this-keeping Amanda satisfied and happy until he could get her back to the airport and off to New York.  They had lunch in bed, too. By the middle of the afternoon, Amanda finally felt sated and got up to take a shower.  Relieved, Quentin sprawled faced down on the bed.  He didn't think he'd ever get his fill of having sex but he was pretty close to it.</div> <div> "<I>Quentin!"</I>  Amanda shrieked.  He jumped, stunned, at the horrified tone of her voice. He bolted from the room and to the bathroom where he found her, holding the cashmere sweater.  It was stained with his blood and her fingers poked up through the hole caused by the knife.  "Why were you wearing <I>this</I> when you got in your fight?"</div> <div> He was very tempted to smack her.  "Look, when I put it on, I was thinking of you-not that I might be stabbed to death in it!" he snarled, hoping to make her feel guilty.  He succeeded; she blanched, and he didn't care. "Jeez, Amanda!  Look at this!"  He indicated the mostly healed wound. "How'd you think the knife went through?  My coat's ruined, too!"</div> <div> "Then we'll go shopping for new ones," Amanda decided, as if that would make amends.  </div> <div> He sighed.  Maybe it wasn't a bad idea.  Then he could take her to the airport and put her on the plane.  "All right," he agreed.  Actually, it was a very good idea.  He was feeling very sensitive, a first for him, and he didn't think he could handle having sex one more time today.  There was one thing he wanted to do, and he waited until he heard the shower running before he placed his call to a friend at the Pentagon.  "Mike," he said softly into the phone, "who do you know with a nose like a bloodhound?  For someone local."</div> <div> "Not Anna Fisher?  I would have heard from Sanders if he'd found anything on her."</div> <div> Quentin closed his eyes and sighed.  "No."  Not Beth.</div> <div> "What are we talking here?  Anything illegal?"</div> <div> "I don't think so-I hope not.  Maybe a missing persons case.  It's old, though.  Like a hundred years."</div> <div> "You've got the money to spend on someone digging around in records?  One hundred years?  Good Lord!"</div> <div> "Don't worry, I have the money."</div> <div> "All right.  Got a paper and pencil?"  </div> <div> "Yeah-go ahead."  Quentin scribbled the name and number Mike gave him and hung up.  He'd call the investigator from the airport and start having him checking around for the family of Amanda Harris.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> With a deep kiss and a promise to come to New York on New Year's Eve, Quentin saw Amanda off on her flight back to New York.  He called Dan Powell, the man Mike recommended, and explained what he needed.  He told Powell everything he knew about Amanda.  He would have his attorney wire a down payment to the man, who freelanced as a private investigator.  When that was done, he felt relieved. He took called a  cab and asked to be taken to Collinwood.  He had the driver drop him off at the foot of the driveway and began walking toward the Old House. The sun had already set by the time he got there, and he knew Barnabas would be up.  </div> <div> He knocked at the door and Barnabas himself opened it.  The two men looked at each other.  There was so much that Quentin wanted to say but the words wouldn't form so that he could speak.  He saw that he had not been mistaken the night before-Barnabas did look older.  It was as if the shock of the curse had aged him before he died and then rose again.  "I'm sorry I'm so late," he finally said.</div> <div> Barnabas gave him a puzzled look.  Maybe Julia hadn't told him that Amanda had arrived last night. "Come in, Quentin.  Julia was about to give me an injection."</div> <div> Quentin followed Barnabas into the drawing room.  Julia, looking drawn and tired, was preparing a syringe.  "I heard you were in the crowd at the fire," Quentin said.</div> <div> "Oh?" Barnabas' eyebrows arched upward.</div> <div> "It was Amanda who saw you.  She was here, but I've put her on a plane back to New York."</div> <div> "I see.  She came here?" Barnabas asked curiously.</div> <div> "I'm still trying to figure that one out," Quentin muttered.  Barnabas looked puzzled again.  "You set the fire, didn't you?"</div> <div> "Yes, of course," Barnabas answered.  "I waited until I saw Jeb go into the shop.  I didn't see him come out.  I would like to think that I destroyed him, but I suppose that would be too much to hope for."</div> <div> "We have to find out," Julia said in a firm voice as Barnabas began to roll his sleeve up.  "If Jeb is still out there, he will stake you if he can."</div> <div> "He'll have to get past us first," Quentin declared.  </div> <div>  "You both have been good and loyal friends," Barnabas said.  He was falling into one of his dark moods.  "Haza and Oberon at least see now that things have gone out of control."  He laughed bitterly and winced as Julia injected him with serum.   "He has ruined their plans and they are very angry.  However, he is popular among his followers.  Still, they have made their displeasure known to him.  He feels he does not need them because of the support of his followers.  He is a fool!  They are making a final, feeble attempt to rein him in."</div> <div> "Not with Paul Stoddard?" Quentin asked.  </div> <div> "They were not specific.  They couldn't mean Sheriff Davenport either-he is still under the control of Jeb."</div> <div> "And Chris isn't supposed to transform again," Julia added.</div> <div> "What about Angelique?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "She is not one of the Leviathans, that much I know," Barnabas said.  Apparently Julia knew the story already because she turned away, twisting the lid back on the serum.  "She didn't believe that her husband was one of them either.  She didn't believe that he betrayed me to Jeb."</div> <div> "I should have told you that I didn't see him there," Quentin muttered softly.</div> <div> "Don't, Quentin," Barnabas said sharply.  "I heard the ferryman, too.  I knew he was on the island.  All I thought about was getting Carolyn to safety-and that is all you thought about, too.  Don't waste time blaming yourself."</div> <div> Quentin nodded, thinking that Barnabas was right but he still felt guilty.  "How'd you know he was the one that told Jeb?"</div> <div> "I visited Philip Todd in his cell," Barnabas explained.  "Jeb had a visitor before we saw him at Collinwood-Sky Rumson.  Philip overheard the conversation.  Rumson watched you bring Carolyn down to the ferry.  He saw me there as well, and he came to tell Jeb.  We were fortunate that we went to the island when we did because Jeb arrived not long after we did.  He was furious that Carolyn was gone.  At the time, Rumson did not know who we were-he tricked Angelique into telling him."</div> <div>  "Barnabas, why didn't Angelique come here in the first place?" Quentin asked.  He was genuinely confused.  </div> <div> "Well, she did, as I told you.  She tried to return the curse to me and failed," Barnabas explained.  He looked clearly disturbed and upset.  "It is a very long story.  When I came back from the past, she was no longer here.  I had no idea that when she left here, she married this Sky Rumson.  She loves him very much.  She absolutely refuses to believe he had anything to do with what happened to me."</div> <div> "It's too bad Philip can't talk about what happened."</div> <div> "What good would it do if he did?"  Barnabas snapped angrily.  "The converts are descending upon Collinsport like locusts!  Haza and Oberon believe that these converts are devoted to them-they do not understand human feelings of greed and selfishness.  I don't imagine that the converts would be willing to give up their wealth and abandon the plan so easily."</div> <div> "These parent gods are only planning to remain dormant for a while and then come back, isn't that right?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "This is what they say, but if they are unable to reclaim The One, they may be destroyed."  Barnabas scowled.  "Once Jeb decided to deviate from the Book, they should have acted immediately."</div> <div> "What about Carolyn?" Quentin asked, disturbed by his cousin's attitude.  He wondered if Barnabas was entirely free of Leviathan influence-sometimes he seemed to be still sympathetic to them when he spoke of following that damn book.</div> <div> "I'm going to arrange to have Carolyn, David, and Amy go to Boston this time," Barnabas decided.  "Maggie should go with them.  We must keep her as far away from Jeb as possible.  You are right Quentin-he's cast some sort of spell over Carolyn so that she becomes quite unlike herself when he is near her.  I planned on speaking to Elizabeth this evening." </div> <div> "We can go with you," Julia offered.</div> <div> "I would rather you not," Barnabas objected.  When Julia began to protest, he went on, gently, "Elizabeth is still one of them.  The less she sees me with you and Quentin the better, do you see?  She will not trust me otherwise.  If you wish to do something to help me, perhaps you can go into town and try to call Willie Loomis."</div> <div> "All right," Julia agreed reluctantly.  </div> <div> Quentin thought: <I>if you had a fucking phone installed we could call from here!  </I>Barnabas looked at Quentin haughtily and said coldly, "I have no need nor a desire for a telephone."  Quentin felt his jaw drop, and Barnabas laughed without any real humor.  "No, I cannot read your mind.  You show your feelings on your face, and you need to be careful about that."  Quentin felt himself flush, feeling exposed.</div> <div> "We can call from the Inn," Julia suggested.  "Would you be able to stay here this time, Quentin?"</div> <div> "Yes, Amanda's gone back to New York.  I promised I'd come down on New Year's Eve."</div> <div> "You should," Barnabas said.</div> <div> "If there's nothing going on," Quentin countered.</div> <div> "Nothing will be," Barnabas answered confidently, his eyes boring into Quentin's.  "You should go and be with Amanda."</div> <div> Quentin carefully screened his thoughts, saving them for later.  He and Julia went to the inn so that he could pack a few things he needed.  Julia used his phone to call Willie Loomis, whoever the hell he was.  Quentin took his time in the bedroom, not wanting to listen in to the conversation.  It didn't sound like Julia was having a lot of luck.  When Julia hung up, he came out of the bedroom.  "He'll come after the holiday," Julia said simply, looking at the phone.</div> <div> "Who is he?" Quentin asked.  </div> <div> Julia explained briefly:  Willie was the would-be jewel thief who'd freed Barnabas in the first place.  He'd been a servant and then a friend over the years.  Just before Barnabas returned from the past, Willie moved to Bangor to be closer to his girlfriend.  "He's engaged," Julia concluded.  She looked sad and confused.</div> <div> "He shouldn't come," Quentin said, guessing this was what was bothering her.</div> <div> "No-he deserves some happiness with this girl," Julia agreed.  "It's just that we need help so desperately."</div> <div> "You asked him to come?"</div> <div> "No, when I found out he was engaged I discouraged a visit.  I told him that the problem was nothing serious-he insisted."</div> <div> "Good friend," Quentin observed.  Crazy, though.  "I'm ready to go."</div> <div> Barnabas was back at the Old House, pacing with fury.  "He has told Elizabeth that I am no longer in charge!" he burst out as soon as he saw Quentin and Julia in the doorway.  She will not consider sending Carolyn to Boston!  My only hope is to reason with Roger-but Elizabeth has already shut him out.  He's told me so!"</div> <div> "Something else is wrong," Julia guessed.</div> <div> "Yes, it is worse!  Not only has Jeb survived the fire, he brought the damned box out with him!  He and Megan showed up at Collinwood this afternoon, seeking refuge-and Elizabeth has put them up in the carriage house!"</div> <div> "Well, that's going to look odd under the circumstances, isn't it?" Quentin observed.  "Elizabeth is sheltering the wife of the man accused of murdering her husband?"</div> <div> "She doesn't care about that!" Barnabas snapped.  "I believe that Jeb and his lackey have consecrated the back room of that carriage house already!"</div> <div> "Lackey?" Julia asked, puzzled.</div> <div> "One of the converts-I don't know his name.  A singularly obnoxious young man!"</div> <div> "Bruno Hess," Quentin said.</div> <div> Barnabas looked at him, surprised.  "You know him?"</div> <div> "We met at a party in New York," Quentin explained.</div> <div> Barnabas moved closer, looking at Quentin carefully.  "And you spoke to him?"</div> <div> "No, I didn't.  He was just a guest at this party."  Quentin found himself feeling defensive, as if he'd betrayed Barnabas somehow.   He went on, "He was using drugs at the party-cocaine, maybe other drugs.  I don't know.  I didn't talk to him."  He had a sinking feeling, though.   Amanda talked to Bruno; she came out of the smorgasbord room with him.  <I>She's not one of them though</I>, he thought.  <I>She laughs at them!</I></div> <div> Barnabas turned away.  "Something brought him here.  Something is bringing them all here."</div> <div> His pacing seemed to be unnerving Julia.  "I spoke with Willie," she said, stepping in front of Barnabas.  She told him about the phone conversation, but he didn't appear to be listening.  He turned his head slightly, listening.  Someone knocked at the door.  Everyone looked at each other, and then Barnabas crossed to the door.  "Maggie!" he exclaimed.</div> <div> "Hello, Barnabas, is Julia here?" Maggie asked, sounding tentative.</div> <div> "Yes, I'm right here, Maggie, what is it?"  Julia entered the foyer.</div> <div> Maggie looked around uncertainly.  "Mrs. Stoddard asked if you could come.  Carolyn had a bad dream, and she's not able to calm down."</div> <div> "Of course," Julia said immediately.</div> <div> "Was it about Jeb, with blood on his hands?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> Maggie's eyes grew large and she looked at Barnabas.  "It's all right, we're all friends here," Barnabas told her.  "You can trust Julia and Quentin but no one else, Maggie-it would be too dangerous."</div> <div> Maggie looked at Quentin.  "Yes, it was about Jeb-and the blood on his hands."</div> <div> "Let me see what I can do," Julia said.  "I'll be back."</div> <div> Paul strikes again, Quentin thought.  "Quentin, wait here for me.  There is something I must do," Barnabas said in a determined way.</div> <div> "Where are you going?" Quentin asked.</div> <div> "Never mind," Barnabas answered sharply.  "I will be back."</div> <div> Fuck this, thought Quentin.  He went back into the drawing room, alone, and poured himself a brandy.  When he finished the first one, he helped himself to another, wondering when someone would return.  He found himself growing sleepy.  He shut his eyes once or twice and then opened them abruptly, realizing he wasn't alone.  <I>"You shoulda told me, ya know," he said, hearing his words slur a little.  "You coulda warned me."</I></div> <div> <I>"I did warn you," Paul Stoddard replied sadly.  "I told you to tell Barnabas to be careful."</I></div> <div> <I>"You didn't tell me about that!  I would've remembered to tell him about Sky Rumson if you'd told me that! "</I></div> <div> <I>"I didn't know it would happen like that for sure," Paul answered.  "I don't know everything, you know.  Just because you're dead doesn't mean you are suddenly privy to all this wonderful information.  Look at me!  I'm not able to help anyone!"</I></div> <div> <I>"You're doin a great job scarin the hell out of your daughter," Quentin rumbled angrily.  "You really think y'oughta scare her like that?  She's a sensitive girl!"</I></div> <div> <I>"Funny-you concerned like you are," Paul said softly.  "Jenny told me about you."  Quentin sat up, glaring resentfully.  "Don't get mad, son.  It wasn't all bad.  The truth is, the dreams are keeping Carolyn from Jeb right now.  It's the best I can do until we can get Philip out of jail."</I></div> <div> <I>"We?  And how are we to accomplish that?"</I></div> <div> <I>Paul continued to speak as if he hadn't heard the question.  "Philip hates Jeb for what he's done, you know? He never killed me.  He didn't kill any of the others, either.  He's never been a strong follower of the Leviathans, and so Jeb felt he was expendable.  Jeb's ruined his marriage and his whole life.  He has good reason to hate Jeb-like me."</I></div> <div> <I>"Do you wan' me to help break him out?" Quentin asked, realizing that Paul must want to use Philip.</I></div> <div> <I>"No-you be careful.  Trust your instincts, son-you're right about them.  You just don't have enough faith in yourself."</I></div> <div> <I>"What do you mean?  Why do you talk in riddles?" Quentin demanded.</I></div> <div> <I>"I can't be any more specific than that.  Just trust what your gut tells you, will you?"</I></div> <div> <I>"All right," Quentin said reluctantly. "How are we getting Philip out then?  How am I supposed to help?"</I></div> <div> <I>"Would you say that spell you were going to say before, the one that would make me stronger?" Paul asked.  Quentin found himself chanting the incantation, wondering if it would do any good.  The ghost seemed satisfied, smiling at Quentin as he slowly disappeared.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8: Circling the Wagons"><U>8:  Circling the Wagons</U></A>  <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: Spell of Jealousy"><U>10:  Spell of Jealousy</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>